(Bill W) May 11, 2010 – The season opener at Double X Speedway in California, Missouri could not have gone better for “The Rocket” Jesse Hockett on Sunday night. The Warsaw, Missouri driver brought his A.R.T. chassis home with another win at the “Show Me State” bullring. The win followed two successful podium finishes with the Sprint Bandits Tour ‘N Topless series that landed him on top of the current point standings.
Jesse won in convincing fashion on Sunday night, driving the JHR #77. “We were just trying to get more familiar with the A.R.T. chassis and trying a few things,” he says of his run. “We just tried some stuff in both the heat and the feature. What we were trying was working, and that was as good as we’ve ever felt there at Double X. I was really happy with the car. We’ll keep on tuning it, and get it better for three races next week.”
TNT action started Friday night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas.Things went well with two photo finishes, where Jesse won his heat and finished second in the qualifier on a heavy track. “It was a great heat race with (Zach) Chappell,” he says. “It was another photo finish. In the qualifier, we started fourth and we were running well. It was another close finish, this time with Wayne Johnson.”
Lining up inside row two for the feature event, Jesse witnessed the track getting heavier and heavier. “The track was fast and sticky all night,” he says. “There was a lot of moisture in it. In the feature, we started third and ended up there. The track was just hard to pass anyone, and get a run on them.”
He was also hampered a bit with tightness. “We hadn’t changed it all night, but when we got a full fuel load in it, it tightened up,” he says of the VKCC Motorports #75 A.R.T. chassis powered by Gary Stanton. “We were pulling wheelies all over the place. I couldn’t keep the front end down the first ten laps, but we settled down after that.”
The third place finish set the stage for Saturday’s tow over to Little Rock, Arkansas and the I-30 Speedway. A hot laps incident put the team behind a bit. “I had a guy spin in front of me on the first lap of hot laps, and we tore the car up,” says Jesse. “It bent the front end over on the frame, and that set us back. We had to straighten the tubes out. In the end, we were able to salvage a good finish.”
Nonetheless, Jesse mustered a fourth place heat run (from 8th), and a second place in the qualifier after starting fourth. That set him up inside row two for the main event. “The track was racy all night until the feature, but the top groove went away when their other classes were out there running, and the number of cautions just gave it time to dry out,” he says.
After trading second with Ray Allen Kulhanek, Jesse would settle for a third place finish. “The bottom was good for everyone, so we all ran around the bottom,” says Jesse. “There was a hole getting into three, and I hit the hole and Ray Allen got by me. Then he hit it, and I got by him. He was able to get back by me in the end.”
Jesse will take a much needed break from travel and race three events close to home this week at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, the Lake Ozark Speedway near Eldon, and back at Double X. He’ll do so knowing he is in the TNT point lead. “It’s cool to take the points lead,” he says. “We’re running pretty consistent, so I can’t complain.”
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://JesseHockett.com!
Rocket Rambles
Jesse has won a mind numbing 16 times in his last 18 feature appearances at Double X Speedway. All of those wins (spanning 2008, 2009 and 2010) have come in the Jesse Hockett Racing #77.
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Rocket Hockett
“Rocket Hockett” is an up close look at the past, present and future of Jesse Hockett. To receive "Rockett Hockett", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Hockett" in the subject line.
Jesse would like to thank the partners of the VKCC Motorsports #75 and the JHR #77 teams including Parker Store of Phoenix, Rod End Supply, M&W Aluminum Products, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Don Ott Racing Engines, Gary Stanton Mopar, Vortex Wings, Penske Shocks, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Diversified Machine, Inc., Fischer Body Shop, Simpson, SWE, Maxwell Shock Dynos, Spec Plating, Hoosier, Conroy Bleeders, ARP Fasteners, Indy Race Parts, Massey’s Truck and Tank Repair, RMS Racing Engines, Pro Powder Coating, Korte Transportation, Rocket Graphics, Lucas Oil, Engler, Weld Racing, Spike Products, Maxwell, Red Onion Lounge, Engler, Barnes Dry Sump Oil Systems, FSR Racing Products, Canyon Apparel, JEI, Total Seal Piston Rings and JE Pistons for all their help!.
- Bill Wright on May 11, 2010
- Article Date: 5/11/2010